by Jade Winters
‘And there were no problems at school either?’
‘Not as far as her teachers are concerned,’ Robert said.
‘So what we have is a sixteen-year-old girl going missing without any reason to go missing.’ Astrid closed her notepad.
Callie could see that Astrid disliked Robert. If the circumstances hadn’t been so dire, she would have taken Astrid aside and told her that Robert didn’t normally behave like an ostrich with his head stuck in the sand.
‘She’s either lost or has been taken. Not deliberately missing. There’s a difference,’ Roxy interrupted. She took a drag on her cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke that rose to the ceiling and hung there. ‘It’s been three days and no one’s heard a thing. All we keep getting is questions. Lexi was just a normal teenager. We had our problems.’
She paused abruptly when Robert gave her a stern look.
‘Look, all we want is Lexi to know that we love her and want her to come home,’ Roxy continued.
Callie was studying the scene through Astrid’s eyes and it didn’t look good. If Astrid had her suspicions about Robert before, this interview would surely have cemented them. To her astonishment even she thought Robert was being a bit shifty.
‘What about a boyfriend?’ Astrid asked out of the blue, taking Robert by surprise.
‘A boyfriend?’ he stuttered, jerking forward.
‘She …’ Roxy began, but clammed her mouth shut when Robert briskly pushed himself to his feet.
‘I think that’s enough for now. Thank you for coming,’ he said, avoiding eye contact with both of them.
Callie frowned in confusion. Whoa, where did that come from? What was it with Robert and the mere thought of Lexi dating? She recalled his attitude a few nights ago when she had implied Lexi might be out with a boy. He had literally behaved in the same manner. He had silenced her, in the same way he was silencing Astrid.
Astrid stuffed her notebook into her bag and glanced across at Callie with a questioning look.
Callie didn’t want to add any fuel to the fire so she nodded her head towards the door indicating for them to leave.
‘I’ll check in with you both later,’ Callie said, ushering Astrid through the door. She was grateful Astrid hadn’t said anything more than thank them for their time.
Outside, neither spoke until they were in the Jeep.
‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ Astrid said.
Callie let out a frustrated sigh. She really didn’t want to have a debate about Robert’s behaviour. She didn’t understand it herself. ‘Depends what you’re thinking.’
‘That man is hiding something. What, I don’t know. But I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.’
‘Now you really are being silly. What could he be hiding? He’s her dad. A good man.’ Callie just hoped she sounded convincing.
Chapter Fourteen
How was it that somebody refused to see the truth even when it was staring them right in the face? Callie, Astrid decided, was the worst liar she had ever met. You either had to be in total denial or blind to not see that Robert was lying through his back teeth. Seriously, did he take her for a fool? He expected her to believe that his teenage daughter had no issues whatsoever. If she truly didn’t, Astrid was impressed that the girl had escaped all the hormonal, self-doubt issues that plagued most teenagers. As far as her parents were concerned she was a walking saint. As Callie either didn’t want to see the truth or was afraid to show disloyalty to her friends, Astrid didn’t share any more observations. Instead she decided to talk it through with Ross and see what he thought.
‘So where are we going now?’ Astrid asked. As eager as she was to get started on the story for Ross, she wasn’t quite ready to leave Callie’s company. Spending the day with her had been frustrating, but fun.
‘I don’t know about you, but I’ve got some paperwork to catch up on. Haven’t you got reporting to do?’
‘Yeah,’ she said, lazily outstretching her arms in front of her. ‘I should write my article. How about meeting up later?’
Callie started the engine and pulled her seat belt across her chest. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Do you mind me being upfront?’
‘It hasn’t stopped you before.’
‘Why do you keep pushing me away? Have I done something to personally offend you.’
‘It’s not that you’ve done anything to offend me.’ Callie sighed heavily and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. ‘You ask a lot of questions. In your world that might be normal, but having my every sentence and movement analysed is not something I’m used to, or like.’
‘That might be only part of the reason why you keep pushing me away—’
‘Look, stop analysing me, okay? I’ve got a lot on my mind. It’s no big mystery. You got your interview. What more do you want?’
‘Whatever, clam up in your little sea shell. I get the hint.’
Callie hit the power button on the radio and turned it up. When Astrid started singing along, a glimmer of a smile played on Callie’s lips. Her mood lightening.
‘Ah so you like my singing voice then? Maybe I should sing to you instead of talk?’ Astrid said over the sound of the beat.
Callie dismissed her with a quick laugh. ‘You’re a nutcase.’
Relieved that Callie was warming up, Astrid relaxed slightly. ‘Nah, just sociable.’
The journey back to the B&B was amicable enough. Neither woman spoke again. Instead Astrid sang along to popular tunes she knew and played finger drums on her knee with the ones she didn’t.
Before she got out of the Jeep, Astrid turned the music low enough so she didn’t have to speak loudly. ‘So you’ll drop in later then?’
Flustered, Callie shook her head in annoyance. ‘What? No! When did I say that?’
‘I’m just assuming that you mean the opposite of what you say. Any chance you can bring a few beers? Elaine only has ale.’
‘Astrid, I am not coming round to Elaine’s with beer or anything else.’
‘Then I’ll come to your place,’ she said matter-of-factly.
Callie looked questioningly at her, flushed and surprised. ‘You really are sure of yourself, aren’t you?’
‘No. I just go after what I want.’
‘And what is it you want?’
Astrid slowly climbed out of the car and said, ‘I don’t know … yet.’
Chapter Fifteen
Callie blew out a long breath. That woman is going to drive me insane if I let her.
Feeling the phone in her pocket vibrate, she snuck her hand in and pulled it out. Though there was no name she recognised the number immediately.
‘I’m sorry I missed your call earlier. Any news?’ she said into the mouth piece.
‘I’m at your office. Be here as soon as you can,’ the male voice replied before the line went dead.
Callie cranked the gear stick into drive and slammed her foot on the accelerator. The Jeep took off, screeching as she turned the corner on the short drive back to her office. For him to want to meet her must be good news, she concluded as she brought the vehicle to a halt and leapt out from the driver’s seat.
Stuart McMann stood a foot away from the entrance to her building, sucking deeply on a roll-up cigarette. When he caught sight of her, he took one more lug before throwing it to the floor and stubbing it out with his booted foot.
‘Callie,’ he said outstretching his hand when she neared.
‘Stuart.’ She scrutinised his craggy features in the hope of seeing a tell-tale sign. But his expression remained neutral which led her to two conclusions. Either Stuart was a very good poker player, or worst case scenario, he hadn’t been able to dig anything up on her mother.
Callie shook his hand briefly and squeezed past him to open the shop. She gestured for him to go ahead of her.
‘So what have you got for me?’ she asked before he’d managed to sit down.
His face looked worrisome. ‘I’ve got some bad n
ews I’m afraid.’
‘What is it?’ Callie asked feeling frantic.
‘Your mum’s dead.’ He took a piece of paper out of his pocket. ‘Here’s her death certificate. Suicide.’ He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.
Bang. Just like that. Your mother’s dead. Yet what did she expect him to do? Sit down and comfort her about a woman she hadn’t seen for thirteen years. But that was it. She wasn’t just a woman. She was her mother. And now she was dead and all the answers to the questions Callie so desperately needed were also gone.
‘Is there anyone I can call for you? You shouldn’t be alone at a time like this.’
Callie shook her head. She needed a few minutes to get her head around this. To make sense of what it meant for her now. Callie was so lost in thought she forgot Stuart was still there until he cleared his throat.
‘Um, Callie,’ he said awkwardly, ‘can we settle the bill now? I’ve got a client to meet.’
Callie crossed the room, unlocked a filing cabinet and withdrew her cheque book. Her mind still in a daze. ‘Sorry, how much was it?’
Stuart ran his hand over his hair. ‘Oh I don’t know, let’s just round it off to … a grand?’
Callie placed the cheque book on her desk, wrote out the amount and quickly scribbled her signature, before handing it over to Stuart.
Stuart slipped the cheque into his side pocket. ‘I just wish it could have been happier news.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I just needed to know the truth.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. Look, if you ever need my services again, just give me a shout.’
For one split second she considered hiring him to find Lexi but managed to stop herself. She didn’t think she could bear to hear any more bad news. ‘Thank you, Stuart, I’ll keep you in mind,’ she said feeling a surge of gratitude for the man who had finally put her search to an end.
‘No problem.’ He walked around her on his way out. ‘Again, I’m sorry.’ He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. Then he was gone.
‘Me too,’ she said to his retreating back.
Alone, Callie sank onto her chair and rested her head in the palm of her hands. Dead. I can’t believe it. I never even got the chance to say goodbye. She didn’t know what to think, feel or act. It felt like the stuffing had been knocked out of her. She couldn’t cry, get angry or even scream. She was stunted. Just like she had been all those years ago.
There was no point moping around feeling sorry for herself. She needed to be around people to keep her mind occupied.
Astrid must be psychic; otherwise how would she know I was going to turn up to Laney’s with beer as requested?
Chapter Sixteen
The bar was cool and dim. Which was a good thing as far as Keri was concerned. If the dingy ladies’ toilets were anything to go by, the place hadn’t been decorated since the turn of the century. Beige patterned lino on the floor and wallpaper to match. Not that Keri was there for the aesthetics. She was there for the woman who was weaving her way between the dark wooden tables scattered throughout the room. Helen. A picture of understated beauty and elegance. Even in the cute sheep patterned cardigan she wore.
After hearing about Astrid’s latest exploits with a local woman, she wasn’t ready to come face to face with her. Not yet anyway.
‘Here we go,’ Helen said, placing a glass of wine in front of Keri. ‘They’ve haven’t got any Merlot, so I went with the house wine.’
‘Thanks.’ Keri brought the glass to her mouth and took a tentative sip. Oh god! Fighting the urge to spit it out, she smiled at Helen’s questioning expression. ‘Hmm it’s nice. I think I’ll just let it breathe for a bit.’
Helen laughed. ‘It’s disgusting, isn’t it?’
Keri covered her eyes and nodded, making Helen laugh even harder.
‘And you would have drunk it?’
Keri nodded and joined in with her laughter. ‘I didn’t want you to think I’m rude.’
‘Why would someone like you care what I think?’
‘Huh?’
‘You. You’re a woman of the world, aren’t you? I’m just a plain old carer for my dad.’
‘I think your job is more important than mine. At least you actually make a real difference to someone’s life.’
‘And reporters don’t?’
Keri shrugged. ‘On a superficial level maybe.’
‘If we’re going to get deep, I need to get you another drink.’ Amusement danced in her eyes. ‘I think you’d be best sticking with bottled beer.’
‘Me too.’
Helen was back minutes later with an ice cold beer for her.
‘To new friends,’ Helen said, tapping the neck of her bottle against Keri’s.
‘To new friends.’
‘So to pick up where we left off. I disagree with you about your job. The fact that you’re here to report on that missing girl, makes a massive difference to her being found.’
Keri dropped her gaze to the table. She didn’t want Helen to see the dishonesty in them. In truth, she hadn’t given the missing girl a second thought. Why would she? Her main reason for being here was to unearth Astrid’s contacts. Not the girl.
Helen reached over and touched Keri’s hand. ‘Why you looking so sad? If the job gets you down that much, why don’t you do something else?’
And have my father disown me? It was more than she would be able to bear.
‘It’s not that simple,’ she mumbled into her beer.
‘That, my friend, is the big lie we’re taught from birth. Believe me it is that simple.’
Keri tilted her head back to study her. ‘You sound like you’re speaking from experience.’
‘I am.’ She took a mouthful of beer and carefully placed it on the table. ‘Before I came back here, I was a lawyer.’
‘You were?’ Keri asked in amazement.
Helen grinned. ‘You look surprised.’
‘I am,’ Keri said relieved Helen wasn’t insulted by her snap judgement. One that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The more she got to know this easy-going woman the more she liked her.
‘Believe me, I didn’t always dress in woolly jumpers my nan knitted,’ she said.
‘So what happened?’ Keri asked.
‘Life. I was living in London with all the trappings. Girlfriend, cat, the works—’
‘Just out of curiosity, have you still got the cat?’ Keri always wondered who got the pet in a break up. Did couples fight over them in the same way they did children?
‘Of course I did. But the girlfriend had to go even though she was way less maintenance and actually let me have a lay in.’ Helen leant back and looked upwards. ‘I thought I was happy. That the money made it all worth it. Then I realised one day. I didn’t laugh anymore. I was as miserable as fuck, excuse my language.’
Keri waved away her apology.
‘And I thought, you know what: nothing is worth this misery. Money. Love or sex. So I worked my notice. Packed up the cat and, duh da, here I am.’
‘Any regrets?’
‘Yeah, that I didn’t do it sooner,’ Helen said.
‘That’s so admirable.’
‘Not really. I just want to be able to look in the mirror and be happy with my life choices.’
If only…
‘So what about you?’ Helen asked.
‘It’s not so much my job … it’s…’ The words struggled to form. She had never spoken to anyone about her dad before, yet with Helen she felt she could. That she wouldn’t judge her.
‘Man trouble?’ Helen guessed.
‘Oh God no. I’m single. And I’m also gay.’
Helen’s face lit up. ‘Nice to know I’m not the only gay in the village.’
Keri smiled.
‘Look, just tell me to stick my nose where the sun doesn’t shine if I’m being too nosy. I know I talk too much—’
‘No, it’s not that. It’s just … you know families.’
‘Oh. That nutcracker. Yeah,
I know all about families,’ Helen said rolling her eyes.
‘Really,’ Keri was shocked. ‘You and your dad seem—’
‘Not him. No, my dad’s great. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the rest of my family. Toxic monsters from hell. I swear I can’t believe we all came down the same birth canal.’
‘That bad, huh?’
‘Worse than bad, so if you want to compare notes, go for it,’ Helen encouraged.
‘It’s my dad. He just doesn’t seem to understand the concept of family. Does that make sense?’
‘Definitely.’
‘Sometimes I think he wishes I wasn’t born,’ Keri said truthfully.
‘To be honest your dad doesn’t sound like the wisest of people. I’ll tell you straight. I’m glad you were born. So he can put that in his pipe and smoke it.’
Shaking off her melancholy mood, Keri laughed. This is just what she needed: a friend she could relax with and be herself. She thought that person would be Astrid, but fate seemed to have other plans for them.
‘Seriously though, Keri. The power is within you to end the cycle of abuse. ’Cause that’s what it is when someone needs to put you down to make them feel worthy. Let’s just put it this way. If your partner treated you like that, would you put up with it or show them the door?’
That question didn’t even need answering. Keri knew exactly what she’d do. They’d be gone in a flash. ‘I’m so glad I bumped into you.’
‘Why? Because you want to run away with me and have lots of kittens?’
Keri gave a small shake of the head. ‘You’re the first person that’s given me hope that I really can change things in my life.’
‘Stick with me, sister. The only way is up.’
Looking at the sincerity in Helen’s eyes, Keri actually believed her.
Chapter Seventeen
Astrid let out a contented sigh. Ross hadn’t called her, bellowing instructions for the copy she’d sent him to be changed in any way so he must have liked it, which was a relief. It had been what she considered, an objective piece. One thing Astrid didn’t do was let her personal feelings get in the way of presenting a story. Okay, so she hadn’t exactly warmed to Lexi’s parents but that was something she verbally expressed to Ross, not what she wrote in her article. Ever since she had left her job in London two years previously, she had been extra cautious when it came to revealing certain information. When I left? Talk about being economical with the truth. More like when she had been hounded out of her job through no fault of her own. Her crime? To uncover a massive conspiracy that could have brought down a lot of powerful CEOs at the head of charities. The very ones whose job it was to provide for the vulnerable in war-torn countries.
